On my revised layout I seem to be having trouble with my points not always making a good connection when changed. So I thought I might wire up each individual track with power via a toggle switch (tracks T2A through to T2F on drawing below).
I need some extra sinple toggle switches, ideally already on a control panel of some sort.
Any ideas where I might get one from?
(http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo231/Tdmak/Model%20Railway/AnyRailLayout2015_4.jpg) (http://s379.photobucket.com/user/Tdmak/media/Model%20Railway/AnyRailLayout2015_4.jpg.html)
You need a single pole double throw switch, I think these are available from gaugemaster, but if your points are motorised it would probably be better to change the point motor to one with a built-in switch as this would change the frog polarity at the same time as the points are changed. Doing it manually would cause a short circuit as you would be unlikely to change the points at the same time as changing the switch . Another option would be to place the sort of add-on switch which normally is fitted to a point motor and link this to the tie-bar of the point.
try a search on the entire forum for Toggle switches at the Top right of this page
:searchingsign:
Quote from: Only Me on May 28, 2015, 11:15:15 AM
I buy them in packs of 10 from ebay for about £6 each, you'll be lucky to get 5 for £12 from GM :)
about 80 pence each (SPDT) from Rapid Electronics for small quantities.
http://www.rapidonline.com/FFSearchResults.aspx?query=miniature%20toggle%20switch&filterSearchScope=0 (http://www.rapidonline.com/FFSearchResults.aspx?query=miniature%20toggle%20switch&filterSearchScope=0)
:beers:
Thanks for the replies - ideally I was looking for a ready made panel holding around 8 to 10 toggle switches , such as the one in the photo but with more switches on it.
(http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo231/Tdmak/Model%20Railway/toggle%20switch%20panel.jpg) (http://s379.photobucket.com/user/Tdmak/media/Model%20Railway/toggle%20switch%20panel.jpg.html)
Why? Just source a piece of aluminum or even plastic panel, measure up, draw a straight line and drill as many holes along it as you like, fit as many switches as you like!
Quote from: Bealman on May 28, 2015, 11:55:47 AM
Why? Just source a piece of aluminum or even plastic panel, measure up, draw a straight line and drill as many holes along it as you like, fit as many switches as you like!
I have already used a piece of DaDo trunking and drilled holes in it and inserted the 3 toggle switches that I do have into it, but I thought something a bit more professional looking with lights that signal a switch is turned on would look somewhat better.
Quote from: Tdm on May 28, 2015, 04:36:38 PM
Quote from: Bealman on May 28, 2015, 11:55:47 AM
Why? Just source a piece of aluminum or even plastic panel, measure up, draw a straight line and drill as many holes along it as you like, fit as many switches as you like!
I have already used a piece of DaDo trunking and drilled holes in it and inserted the 3 toggle switches that I do have into it, but I thought something a bit more professional looking with lights that signal a switch is turned on would look somewhat better.
Should still be pretty easy to get a blank panel and drill whatever holes are necessary. If you want a ready made panel to meet your own spec its gonna cost you. That panel in your picture costs 56 dollars!!!
:beers:
You can also use plywood. Here is the one I made for Deansmoor from 3.5mm ply.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/57/thumb_5597.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=5597)
It has LEDs that light up, behind the bit where it says "train approaching" there are small blue LEds set into holes - they are bright enough that they show up clearly under the laminated paper to indicate arrival of a passenger (p) goods (g) or shunt (s) train.
Cheers
Jon :)
Looks very professional, Jon. What do you use to trigger the train approaching lamps? @PostModN66 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=2671)
Quote from: Malc on May 29, 2015, 10:31:34 AM
Looks very professional, Jon. What do you use to trigger the train approaching lamps? @PostModN66 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=2671)
Thanks Malc! :thankyousign:
The lights are just set by the fiddle-yard operator through a rotary switch, as a message to the "signaller" at the front to set the route and clear the signals. He also sounds a buzzer to alert the signaller's attention. The way I like to operate all my layouts is train-follows-signals, rather than the other way around! It is supposed to be reasonably representative of real practice, though I would confess to not being totally Au Fait with modern single line operation with mechanical boxes.
The snag is remembering to switch them off - it would be great to have an IR sensor in the signal box so that when a train passes it automatically extinguishes the light. I have used this approach to reset the main line signals on Lofthole using Heathcote units. Maybe one day.....!
Cheers Jon :)
Cool! And very well explained. Thank you! :thumbsup: